Barbecue Cooking Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A barbecue cooking apparatus is an apparatus used to cook food items by utilizing different barbecue smoking methods. The apparatus includes a barrel, a lid, a frame, a shelved cooking system, a venting system, a winch mechanism, a lip, and a firebox gasket. The barrel provides a thermal enclosure for cooking the food items. The lid serves to close the barrel and to support the shelved cooking system. The lip and the firebox gasket seal the lid on the barrel when closed. The shelved cooking system holds both the food items within the barrel during the cooking process and the fuel source utilized to generate the heat energy to cook the food items. The frame holds the winch mechanism offset from the barrel. The winch mechanism facilitates the retrieval of the shelved cooking system from the barrel as well as the reintroduction of the shelved cooking system into the barrel.

The current application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application of aU.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 16/386,066 filed on Apr. 16,2019. The U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 16/386,066 claims apriority to a U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/658,280 filed onApr. 16, 2018.

The current application is also a CIP application of a U.S. designapplication Ser. No. 29/764,316 filed on Dec. 29, 2020.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to food cooking devices. Morespecifically, the present invention is a vertical-rise versatilebarbecue smoking apparatus which can accept a wide variety of fuelsources.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Barbecuing has become a favorite means of cooking meats and vegetables,especially during the summertime when people gather together outdoors toenjoy the warm weather and summer festivities. Barbecuing has become soingrained in present society that individuals can expect to find abarbecue grill installed at almost every park, beach, or other similaroutdoor locations. Barbecuing can be considered a serious hobby or artby many people, and there are a wide variety of barbecue apparatuses fora variety of barbecuing needs and styles. For instance, a popular choiceamong the serious barbecue enthusiasts is the barbecue smoker. Barbecuesmokers resemble barbecue grills in most features but differentiate inkey areas. For example, barbecue smokers better constrain and circulatethe heat within the apparatus to slowly cook the food, whereas grillsallow the food to be cooked only from beneath and allow heat to escapeto the surroundings. Furthermore, barbecue smokers often only allow thefood to be laid flat on its side like the way barbecue grills function;however, this is inefficient as a user would need to constantly flip thelid open to turn over the food which can unnecessarily prolong thecooking process. These barbecue smokers also do not allow for hangingthe food vertically so that all sides of the food can be cooked evenly.On the other hand, there are some barbecue smokers that are verticallyaligned and allow for the foods to be hung. However, these verticalbarbecue smokers are not versatile in allowing for the foods to be hungon hooks or placed on a grill. Also, these vertical barbecue smokersoften provide a side door which is not efficient for constraining andpromoting the circulation of heat within the barbecue smoker.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a barbecue cookingapparatus that is versatile for all barbecue smoking needs. The presentinvention provides a barbecue cooking apparatus which more efficientlycooks food items by reducing the amount of heat escaping from theapparatus. The present invention further provides users a versatilebarbecue smoker that allows users to cook food items by either hangingthe foods or by laying the food items down on a grill, or both. Anotherobjective of the present invention is to provide a vertical barbecuecooking apparatus which can raise and lower the food items along theapparatus in a controlled manner so that food items can be cooked moreefficiently without losing too much heat. The present invention furtherprovides users with a barbecue cooking apparatus that is easy totransport, store, maintain, and clean.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom rear perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a left elevated view of the present invention in an expandedconfiguration.

FIG. 4 is a left elevated view of the present invention in a contractedconfiguration.

FIG. 5 is a top front perspective view of the present invention with theshelved cooking system retrieved from the barrel.

FIG. 6 is a bottom rear perspective view of the present invention withthe shelved cooking system retrieved from the barrel.

FIG. 7 is a top rear perspective view of the barrel and the ventingsystem of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the barrel and the venting system of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of the barrel andthe venting system of the present invention taken along line 9-9 in FIG.8.

FIG. 10 is a bottom front perspective view of the frame and the winchmechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a right elevated view of the frame and the winch mechanism ofthe present invention.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional elevated view of the frame and thewinch mechanism of the present invention taken along line 12-12 in FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is a top front perspective view of the lid and the shelvedcooking system of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a bottom rear perspective view of the lid and the shelvedcooking system of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front elevated view of the lid and the shelved cookingsystem of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a right elevated view of the lid and the shelved cookingsystem of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the present invention is a barbecuecooking apparatus. The barbecue cooking apparatus enables users to cookfood items by utilizing different barbecue smoking methods. A preferredembodiment of the present invention comprises a barrel 1, a lid 5, aframe 18, a shelved cooking system 36, a venting system 6, a winchmechanism 26, a lip 52, and a firebox gasket 53. The barrel 1 comprisesa base 2, a lateral wall 3, and a rim 4. The barrel 1 provides a thermalenclosure for cooking the food items. The lid 5 serves to close thebarrel 1 and to support the shelved cooking system 36. The lip 52 andthe firebox gasket 53 serve to seal the lid 5 on the barrel 1 during thecooking process. The shelved cooking system 36 holds the food itemswithin the barrel 1 during the cooking process in a desired orientation.The shelved cooking system 36 further holds the fuel source utilized togenerate the heat energy to cook the food items. The frame 18 serves tohold the winch mechanism 26 offset from the rim 4. The winch mechanism26 facilitates the retrieval of the shelved cooking system 36 from thebarrel 1 as well as the reintroduction of the shelved cooking system 36into the barrel 1 as desired.

The general configuration of the aforementioned components allows thepresent invention to cook food items utilizing different barbecuesmoking methods. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame 18 isexternally mounted to the lateral wall 3 to support the winch mechanism26 above the barrel 1. The winch mechanism 26 is mounted offset from therim 4 by the frame 18 to facilitate the vertical movement of the lid 5along the frame 18. In addition, the winch mechanism 26 is tethered tothe lid 5 to convert the torsional movement of the winch mechanism 26 tothe vertical movement of the lid 5 along the frame 18. As can be seen inFIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the lid 5 is slidably mounted along the frame 18 toprevent any non-vertical movement of the lid 5. The shelved cookingsystem 36 is mounted onto the lid 5 and positioned opposite the winchmechanism 26 to insert the food items into the barrel 1 for cooking.Further, the shelved cooking system 36 is configured to traverse intothe barrel 1 to promote even cooking of the food items supported by theshelved cooking system 36. The venting system 6 is integrated into thelateral wall 3 to promote air flow within the barrel 1. The lip 52 isperimetrically connected to the lid 5 so that the lip 52 is positionedon the outer edge of the lid 5, matching the position of the rim 4. Thefirebox gasket 53 is attached onto the lip 52, opposite to the winchmechanism 26 so that firebox gasket 53 is pressed against the rim 4 whenthe barrel 1 is closed with the lid 5. In some embodiments of thepresent invention, the barrel 1 and lid 5 of the present invention arepreferably made from durable, rigid, weather-proof, impact resistantmaterials which can resist a varied range of temperatures and pressures.As can be seen in FIG. 7 through 9, the barrel 1 further preferablycomprises a thin-walled cylindrical design with the height being longerthan the outer diameter of the barrel 1. Alternatively, the barrel 1 cancomprise non-cylindrical designs with different sizes.

The frame 18 enables the integration of the winch mechanism 26 tofacilitate the placement of food items prior to cooking on the shelvedcooking system 36 as well as the removal of food items after the cookingprocess is finished. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the frame 18comprises a first length-adjustable rail 20 and a secondlength-adjustable rail 21. The first length-adjustable rail 20 and thesecond length-adjustable rail 21 are mounted onto the lateral wall 3 toform a single unit. The first length-adjustable rail 20 and the secondlength-adjustable rail 21 are also positioned parallel to each other.Further, the first length-adjustable rail 20 and the secondlength-adjustable rail 21 are positioned opposite each other about thelateral wall 3. Thus, the first length-adjustable rail 20 and the secondlength-adjustable rail 21 safely and securely support the winchmechanism 26 and the load carried by the winch mechanism 26. The firstlength-adjustable rail 20 and the second length-adjustable rail 21 arepreferably made from the same material as the barrel 1.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first length-adjustable rail 20 andthe second length-adjustable rail 21 extend past the rim 4 to supportthe winch mechanism 26 that is offset from the rim 4. The firstlength-adjustable rail 20 and the second length-adjustable rail 21 eachcomprises a lower rail end 49 and an upper rail end 50. As can be seenin FIG. 2, the lower rail end 49 is positioned adjacent to the base 2 toalign the lower rail end 49 with the base 2. The upper rail end 50 ispositioned offset from the rim 4 to extend the first length-adjustablerail 20 and the second length-adjustable rail 21 past the rim 4. Aheight of the first length-adjustable rail 20 and the secondlength-adjustable rail 21 are preferably equal to double the height ofthe barrel 1. A width of the first length-adjustable rail 20 and thesecond length-adjustable rail 21 are preferably smaller than the widthof the barrel 1.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, some embodiments of the firstlength-adjustable rail 20 and the second length-adjustable rail 21comprise telescopic mechanisms of length adjustment. As can be seen inFIG. 10 through 12, the first length-adjustable rail 20 and the secondlength-adjustable rail 21 each comprises an upper pole 22, a lower pole23, a spring mechanism 24, and a locking mechanism 25. The lower pole 23is mounted parallel to the lateral wall 3 to mount the length-adjustablerail to the barrel 1. The upper pole 22 is telescopically engaged to thelower pole 23 to enable the overlapping sliding of the upper pole 22along the lower pole 23. The spring mechanism 24 is operatively coupledbetween the lower pole 23 and the upper pole 22, wherein the springmechanism 24 is used to apply a continuous force to push the upper pole22 away from the lower pole 23. The locking mechanism 25 is operativelyintegrated between the lower pole 23 and the upper pole 22, wherein thelocking mechanism 25 is used to lock the upper pole 22 in place alongthe lower pole 23. Some embodiments of the locking mechanism 25 comprisea locking-pin system to enable the manual locking of the desiredposition of the upper pole 22 along lower pole 23. In some embodimentsof the present invention, the first length-adjustable rail 20 and thesecond length-adjustable rail 21 may each comprises mechanicalengagement of length adjustment which enables the automatic adjustmentof the desired working lengths of the first length-adjustable rail 20and the second length-adjustable rail 21.

Some embodiments of the frame 18 comprise additional reinforcement. Ascan be seen in FIGS. 10 and 12, the frame 18 further comprises acrossbar 19. The crossbar 19 is perpendicularly connected between thefirst length-adjustable rail 20 and the second length-adjustable rail 21to reinforce the frame 18. The crossbar 19 is further positionedadjacent to the winch mechanism 26 to reinforce the mounting of thewinch mechanism 26 to the frame 18.

The winch mechanism 26 facilitates the vertical sliding of the lid 5along the frame 18. The winch mechanism 26 comprises at least onehoisting cable 27, a main axle 30, a crank mechanism 31, a ratchetingmechanism 32, and at least one spool 33. The at least one hoisting cable27 further comprises a first cable end 28 and a second cable end 29. Ascan be seen in FIG. 10 through 12, the main axle 30 is rotatablyconnected between the first length-adjustable rail 20 and the secondlength-adjustable rail 21 to enable the rotation of the at least onespool 33. The crank mechanism 31 is torsionally connected to the mainaxle 30 to transfer torsional forces from the crank mechanism 31 to themain axle 30. The at least one spool 33 is laterally connected aroundthe main axle 30 to simultaneously rotate with the main axle 30. As canbe seen in FIG. 1, the first cable end 28 is laterally connected to theat least one spool 33 to enable the winding of the at least one hoistingcable 27 onto the at least one spool 33. The second cable end 29 isconnected onto the lid 5 to enable the hoisting of the lid 5. As can beseen in FIG. 10 through 12, the ratcheting mechanism 32 is operativelyintegrated between the frame 18 and the main axle 30, wherein theratcheting mechanism 32 is used to selectively allow rotation of themain axle 30 in one direction and to selectively prevent rotation of themain axle 30 in an opposite direction. As can be seen in FIG. 10 through12, some embodiments of the ratcheting mechanism 32 comprise a ratchetwheel 46, a pawl 47, and a mounting bracket 48. The ratchet wheel 46 isrotatably connected to the main axle 30. The mounting bracket 48 ismounted to the frame 18 adjacent to the ratchet wheel 46 to hold andsupport the pawl 47. The pawl 47 is pivotally connected to the mountingbracket 48 to engage with the ratchet wheel 46 to impart forwardrotation of the ratchet wheel 46 or prevent backward rotation of theratchet wheel 46. Further, some embodiments of the crank mechanism 31comprises a crank handle 45. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the crank handle45 is rotatably connected to the main axle 30, opposite the ratchetwheel 46 and along the main axle 30 to allow manual operation of thewinch mechanism 26. In some embodiments of the present invention, thewinch mechanism 26 may comprise motorized systems of operation to allowautomatic operation of the winch mechanism 26.

To prevent the at least one hoisting cable 27 from derailing, thepresent invention further comprises at least one cable deflector 54. Ascan be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the at least one cable deflector 54 ismounted onto the frame 18 so the frame 18 supports the at least onecable deflector 54. The at least one cable deflector 54 is positionedadjacent to the at least one spool 33 to guide the recoiling at leastone hoisting cable 27 back onto the at least one spool 33. Further, theat least one hoisting cable 27 is operatively coupled to the at leastone cable deflector 54, wherein the at least one cable deflector 54 isused to guide the at least one hoisting cable 27 onto and off the atleast one spool 33. For example, the at least one cable deflector 54 ispositioned above the at least one spool 33 so that the at least onehoisting cable 27 does not move past the at least one spool 33, as canbe seen in FIGS. 1 and 5. Thus, when the at least one hoisting cable 27is being recoiled or the frame 18 is collapsed, the at least onehoisting cable 27 will not move past the at least one spool 33.

In addition, to prevent harm to the user due to the failure of theratcheting mechanism 32 or accidental moving of the crank handle 45, thepresent invention further comprises a deadbolt mechanism 55. As can beseen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the crank mechanism 31 is a crank handle 45 whichis manually operated. The crank handle 45 is laterally positioned to theframe 18 to not obstruct with the operation of the winch mechanism 26.Likewise, the deadbolt mechanism 55 is integrated into the frame 18 sothe deadbolt mechanism 55 can be deployed towards the crank handle 45.Further, the deadbolt mechanism 55 is positioned adjacent to the crankhandle 45. Thus, when the deadbolt mechanism 55 is deployed, thedeadbolt mechanism 55 will prevent the rotation of the crank handle 45.

The shelved cooking system 36 enables the cooking of food itemsutilizing different barbecue smoking methods. As can be seen in FIGS. 13and 14, the shelved cooking system 36 comprises at least one supportmember 37, a plurality of cooking shelves 38, and a plurality ofreleasable pin locks 42. The at least one support member 37 is connectednormal to the lid 5 to introduce the plurality of cooking shelves 38into barrel 1. The at least one support member 37 preferably comprises abracket-like design with specialized areas to support the plurality ofcooking shelves 38. Each of the plurality of cooking shelves 38 isattached to the at least one support member 37 by a corresponding lockfrom the plurality of releasable pin locks 42. The plurality of cookingshelves 38 is positioned normal to the at least one support member 37 toprevent food items placed on the plurality of cooking shelves 38 fromfalling off. Further, the plurality of cooking shelves 38 is distributedalong the at least one support member 37 to maintain a space between thefood items placed on the plurality of cooking shelves 38. Someembodiments of the at least one support member 37 comprises multiplesupport members, preferably three support members, arranged in across-like arrangement to form a rack-like support structure.

Some embodiments of the plurality of cooking shelves 38 comprisedifferent shelves adapted to receive various food items or fuel sources.As can be seen in FIGS. 15 and 16, the plurality of cooking shelves 38comprises a plurality of racks 39, at least one catching tray 40, and atleast one fuel-retaining tray 41. The at least one fuel-retaining tray41 is positioned offset from the lid 5 to create a cooking area betweenthe lid 5 and the at least one fuel-retaining tray 41. The at least onefuel-retaining tray 41 is adapted to support various fuel sourcesincluding, but not limited to, solid fuel sources such as charcoal orwood. Furthermore, the barrel 1 can be adapted to operate with alternatefuel sources. In some embodiments of the present invention, the at leastone fuel-retaining tray 41 is releasably mounted onto the at least onesupport member 37 without the use of the plurality of releasable pinlocks 42. The plurality of racks 39 is positioned in between the lid 5and the at least one fuel-retaining tray 41 to separate the food itemsplaced on the plurality of racks 39 from the fuel sources placed on thefuel-retaining tray 41. The at least one catching tray 40 is positionedin between the plurality of racks 39 and the at least one fuel-retainingtray 41 to prevent food waste from the food items placed on theplurality of racks 39 from falling to the at least one fuel-retainingtray 41. As can be seen in FIG. 15, some embodiments of the at least onefuel-retaining tray 41 comprise a raised ledge 43 to prevent fuelsources from falling off the at least one fuel-retaining tray 41 whilethe at least one fuel-retaining tray 41 is being transported. The raisedledge 43 is perimetrically integrated onto the rim 4 of the at least onefuel-retaining tray 41. The raised ledge 43 is preferably positionedadjacent the drive wheel assembly 13 so fuel sources on the at least onefuel-retaining tray 41 do not fall off onto the base 2 duringtransportation of the present invention.

The venting system 6 facilitates the air flow within the barrel 1 duringthe cooking process. As can be seen in FIG. 7 through 9, the ventingsystem 6 comprises at least one intake vent 7 and at least one exhaustvent 8. The at least one intake vent 7 is integrated into the lateralwall 3 to enable air inflow into the barrel 1. The at least one exhaustvent 8 is integrated into the lateral wall 3, opposite the at least oneintake vent 7 to enable air outflow out of the barrel 1. The at leastone intake vent 7 and the at least one exhaust vent 8 are preferablymade from the same material as the barrel 1. In some embodiments of thepresent invention, the at least one intake vent 7 comprises multipleintake vents distributed around the lateral wall 3. The at least oneexhaust vent 8 comprises multiple exhaust vents distribute around thelateral wall 3, opposite the multiple intake vents. Furthermore, the atleast one exhaust vent 8 is preferably non-perpendicularly integratedinto the lateral wall 3.

Some embodiments of the at least one intake vent 7 and the at least oneexhaust vent 8 comprise sealable mechanism to selectively enable airflow into and out of the barrel 1. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the atleast one intake vent 7 and the at least one exhaust vent 8 eachcomprises a vent body 9 and a vent hatch 12. The vent body 9 furthercomprises a first open end 10 and a second open end 11. The first openend 10 is positioned adjacent to the lateral wall 3 to integrate thevent body 9 to the lateral wall 3. The second open end 11 is positionedoffset from the lateral wall 3. The vent hatch 12 is attached onto thesecond open end 11 to enable the selective sealing of the vent body 9.The vent body 9 preferably comprises a thin-walled cylindrical design.In some embodiments of the present invention, the vent hatch 12 isattached to the second open end 11 in a swing-like manner. The venthatch 12 further comprises a hatch handle 44 that insulates the venthatch 12 to prevent burns. In addition, the vent body 9 comprises a ventscreen 51 which prevents debris or ash sparks generated by theconsumption of the fuel source on the at least on fuel-retaining tray 41from escaping the barrel 1. The vent screen 51 is integrated within thevent body 9, adjacent the second open end 11.

Some embodiments of the present invention comprise at least onetransportation system. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the present inventionfurther comprises a drive wheel assembly 13. The drive wheel assembly 13is mounted onto the lateral wall 3. The drive wheel assembly 13 isfurther positioned adjacent to the base 2 in order to enable thetransportation of the present invention when the present invention is ina tilted configuration and to prevent movement when the presentinvention is in a vertical configuration. In some embodiments of thepresent invention, the drive wheel assembly 13 is located centrally onthe rear portion of the barrel 1.

Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a guiding assemblyfor the vertical movement of the lid 5 along the frame 18. As can beseen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention further comprises a firstrail guide 14 and a second rail guide 15. The first rail guide 14 andthe second rail guide 15 is peripherally connected to the lid 5.Further, the first rail guide 14 and the second rail guide 15 isopposite each other across the lid 5. The first rail guide 14 is movablyengaged along the first length-adjustable rail 20. Likewise, the secondrail guide 15 is movably engaged along a second length-adjustable rail21.

Some embodiments of the first rail guide 14 and the second rail guide 15further comprise rolling means which facilitate the sliding movement oflid 5 along the frame 18. As can be seen in FIG. 13, the first railguide 14 and the second rail guide 15 each comprises a guide body 16 anda guide roller 17. The guide body 16 is mounted onto the lid 5. Further,the guide roller 17 is rotatably mounted to the guide body 16 to reducethe friction between the frame 18 and the guide body 16. As can be seenin FIG. 6, the guide roller 17 of the first rail guide 14 is rollablyengaged to the first length-adjustable rail 20 of the frame 18. Theguide roller 17 of the second rail guide 15 is rollably engaged to thesecond length-adjustable rail 21 of the frame 18.

Some embodiments of the present invention further provide variousfixtures adapted for specific barbecue smoking methods. As can be seenin FIGS. 15 and 16, the present invention comprises a plurality offood-hanging fixtures 34. The plurality of food-hanging fixtures 34 isconnected to the lid 5, opposite the winch mechanism 26. In addition,the plurality of food-hanging fixtures 34 is distributed across the lid5 to hang food items separate from each other.

Some embodiments of the present invention further provide a temperaturegauging system to monitor different conditions within the barrel 1during the cooking process. As can be seen in FIG. 13, the presentinvention comprises at least one temperature gauge 35. The at least onetemperature gauge 35 is mounted onto the lid 5, opposite the shelvedcooking system 36. Further, the at least one temperature gauge 35 is inthermal communication with the barrel 1 to monitor the temperaturewithin the barrel 1 at various points during the cooking process.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A barbecue cooking apparatus comprises: a barrel;a lid; a frame; a shelved cooking system; a venting system; a winchmechanism; a lip; a firebox gasket; the barrel comprising a base, alateral wall, and a rim; the frame being externally mounted to thelateral wall; the winch mechanism being mounted offset from the rim bythe frame; the winch mechanism being tethered to the lid; the lid beingslidably mounted along the frame; the shelved cooking system beingmounted onto the lid, opposite the winch mechanism; the shelved cookingsystem being configured to traverse into the barrel; the venting systembeing integrated into the lateral wall; the lip being perimetricallyconnected to the lid; and, the firebox gasket being attached onto thelip, opposite to the winch mechanism.
 2. The barbecue cooking apparatusas claimed in claim 1 further comprises: the frame comprising a firstlength-adjustable rail and a second length-adjustable rail; the firstlength-adjustable rail and the second length-adjustable rail beingmounted onto the lateral wall; the first length-adjustable rail and thesecond length-adjustable rail being positioned parallel to each other;and, the first length-adjustable rail and the second length-adjustablerail being positioned opposite to each other about the lateral wall. 3.The barbecue cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further comprises:the first length-adjustable rail and the second length-adjustable raileach comprising a lower rail end and an upper rail end; the lower railend being positioned adjacent to the base; and, the upper rail end beingpositioned offset from the rim.
 4. The barbecue cooking apparatus asclaimed in claim 2 further comprises: the first length-adjustable railand the second length-adjustable rail each comprising an upper pole, alower pole, a spring mechanism, and a locking mechanism; the lower polebeing mounted parallel to the lateral wall; the upper pole beingtelescopically engaged to the lower pole; the spring mechanism beingoperatively coupled between the lower pole and the upper pole, whereinthe spring mechanism is used to apply a continuous force to push theupper pole away from the lower pole; and, the locking mechanism beingoperatively integrated between the lower pole and the upper pole,wherein the locking mechanism is used to lock the upper pole in placealong the lower pole.
 5. The barbecue cooking apparatus as claimed inclaim 2 further comprises: the frame further comprising a crossbar; thecrossbar being perpendicularly connected between the firstlength-adjustable rail and the second length-adjustable rail; and, thecrossbar being positioned adjacent to the winch mechanism.
 6. Thebarbecue cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: thewinch mechanism comprising at least one hoisting cable, a main axle, acrank mechanism, a ratcheting mechanism, and at least one spool; the atleast one hoisting cable comprising a first cable end and a second cableend; the main axle being rotatably connected between a firstlength-adjustable rail of the frame and a second length-adjustable railof the frame; the crank mechanism being torsionally connected to themain axle; the at least one spool being laterally connected around themain axle; the first cable end being laterally connected to the at leastone spool; the second cable end being connected onto the lid; and, theratcheting mechanism being operatively integrated between the frame andthe main axle, wherein the ratcheting mechanism is used to selectivelyallow rotation of the main axle in one direction and to selectivelyprevent rotation of the main axle in an opposite direction.
 7. Thebarbecue cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 6 further comprises: atleast one cable deflector; the at least one cable deflector beingmounted onto the frame; the at least one cable deflector beingpositioned adjacent the at least one spool; and, the at least onehoisting cable being operatively coupled to the at least one cabledeflector, wherein the at least one cable deflector is used to guide theat least one hoisting cable onto and off the at least one spool.
 8. Thebarbecue cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 6 further comprises: adeadbolt mechanism; the crank mechanism being a crank handle; the crankhandle being laterally positioned to the frame; the deadbolt mechanismbeing integrated into the frame; and, the deadbolt mechanism beingpositioned adjacent to the crank handle.
 9. The barbecue cookingapparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: the shelved cookingsystem comprising at least one support member, a plurality of cookingshelves, and a plurality of releasable pin locks; the at least onesupport member being connected normal to the lid; each of the pluralityof cooking shelves being attached to the at least one support member bya corresponding lock from the plurality of releasable pin locks; theplurality of cooking shelves being positioned normal to the at least onesupport member; and, the plurality of cooking shelves being distributedalong the at least one support member.
 10. The barbecue cookingapparatus as claimed in claim 7 further comprises: the plurality ofcooking shelves comprising a plurality of racks, at least one catchingtray, and at least one fuel-retaining tray; the at least onefuel-retaining tray being positioned offset from the lid; the pluralityof racks being positioned in between the lid and the at least onefuel-retaining tray; and, the at least one catching tray beingpositioned in between the plurality of racks and the at least onefuel-retaining tray.
 11. The barbecue cooking apparatus as claimed inclaim 1 further comprises: the venting system comprising at least oneintake vent and at least one exhaust vent; the at least one intake ventbeing integrated into the lateral wall; and, the at least one exhaustvent being integrated into the lateral wall, opposite the at least oneintake vent.
 12. The barbecue cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 9further comprises: the at least one intake vent and the at least oneexhaust vent each comprising a vent body and a vent hatch; the vent bodycomprising a first open end and a second open end; the first open endbeing positioned adjacent to the lateral wall; the second open end beingpositioned offset from the lateral wall; and, the vent hatch beingattached onto the second open end.
 13. The barbecue cooking apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 further comprises: a drive wheel assembly; the drivewheel assembly being mounted onto the lateral wall; and, the drive wheelassembly being positioned adjacent to the base.
 14. The barbecue cookingapparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: a first rail guide; asecond rail guide; the first rail guide and the second rail guide beingperipherally connected to the lid; the first rail guide and the secondrail guide being positioned opposite to each other across the lid; thefirst rail guide being movably engaged along a first length-adjustablerail of the frame; and, the second rail guide being movably engagedalong a second length-adjustable rail of the frame.
 15. The barbecuecooking apparatus as claimed in claim 12 further comprises: the firstrail guide and the second rail guide each comprising a guide body and aguide roller; the guide body being mounted onto the lid; the guideroller being rotatably mounted to the guide body; the guide roller ofthe first rail guide being rollably engaged to the firstlength-adjustable rail of the frame; and, the guide roller of the secondrail guide being rollably engaged to the second length-adjustable railof the frame.
 16. The barbecue cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 1further comprises: a plurality of food-hanging fixtures; the pluralityof food-hanging fixtures being connected to the lid, opposite the winchmechanism; and, the plurality of food-hanging fixtures being distributedacross the lid.
 17. The barbecue cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 1further comprises: at least one temperature gauge; the at least onetemperature gauge being mounted onto the lid, opposite the shelvedcooking system; and, the at least one temperature gauge being in thermalcommunication with the barrel.